Portable shower cabinet of the knock-down type



Sept. 28, 1965 D. E. WITCZAK 3,208,083

PORTABLE SHOWER CABINET OF THE KNOCK-DUNN TYPE Filed March 8, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN EYS Sept. 28, 1965 wn-cz 3,208,083

PORTABLE SHOWER CABINET OF THE KNOCKDOWN TYPE Filed March 8, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E 105 I 44, p

34 F -24 E as [I54 56 y 345 I2 36 50 i Z I 52 FIG. 2

INVENTOR,

DONALD E. WITCZAK BY m w ATTORNE YS Sept. 28, 1965 D. E. WITCZAK 3,208,083

PORTABLE SHOWER CABINET OF THE KNOCK-DOWN TYPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 8, 1963 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

DONALD E. WITCZAK ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,208,083 PORTABLE SHOWER CABINET OF THE KNOCK-DOWN TYPE Donald E. Witczak, Rte. 1, Edwardsburg, Mich. Filed Mar. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 263,898 7 Claims. (Cl. 4l54) The present invention relates to a shower cabinet and more particularly to a light weight, easily carried shower cabinet which can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Portable shower bath apparatus usually consist of two or more horizontally disposed rings at the top and bottom connected by a canvas cover or wall, and the apparatus are supported from a limb or other overhead support by ropes, cables or cord and are adapted to collapse vertically into relatively small packages. This type of portable shower apparatus has a number of inherent disadvantages, including the need for a separate overhead support, instability in wind and while the user is entering and leaving, and generally unpleasing appearance. With the advent in recent years of backyard swimming and wading pools, shower and dressing facilities apart from those in the normal living quarters and capable of being increased and decreased to accommodate various size swimming and wading parties have become almost a necessity for satisfactory use and enjoyment of the pools. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a shower cabinet for use in conjunction with backyard swimming and wading pools, which can readily be assembled for use and disassembled and stored when it is not in use, and which can easily be moved and carried from one location to another while it is fully assembled, and hauled in a car, station wagon or other similar vehicle when disassembled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable shower cabinet which can be used conveniently and efficiently on any substantially level ground or pavement without any overhead support, and which can easily be connected to and disconnected from a garden hose or the like for its supply of water.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and attractive portable cabinet which can be used effectively, both for a shower and a dressing enclosure, and which can be used as a shower, either out of doors in any suitable location where the water from the shower can drain from the enclosure, or indoors over a drain or sump.

A further object is to provide a cabinet of the aforesaid type which can be easily fabricated from standard materals on conventional equipment and can readily be assembled and disassembled without the use of any special tools or equipment.

The present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the assembled portable shower cabinet embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the present portable shower cabinet similar to the view shown in FIGURE 1 with the cover removed therefrom to show the frame construction;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the frame shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the frame shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a enlarged fragmentary view of the shower head and connecting water supply tube therefor;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a soap dish or utility tray used in conjunction with the present shower cabinet; and

FIGURE 7 is a modified form of assembly fixture.

3,228,983 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 Referring more specifically to the drawings and to FIGURE 1 in particular, numeral 10 designates generally the present portable shower cabinet in its assembled condition and connected to a hose 12 or other tubular water supply conduit. Numeral 14 designates generally the frame structure of the cabinet and numeral 16 the cover extending around and secured to the frame.

The frame structure 14 consists of four vertically positioned corner posts, posts 20 and 22 at the front corners of the structure and posts 24 and 26 at the rear corners thereof, the two front members 20 and 22 being connected at the top by horizontal member 28 and at the bottom by horizontal member 30. Vertical posts 24 and 26 are connected at the top by horizontal member 32 and at the bottom by horizontal member 34, posts 20 and 24 are connected at the top by horizontal member 34 and at the bottom by horizontal member 36, and posts 22 and 26 are connected at the top by horizontal member 38 and at the bottom by horizontal member 40. The four posts and all of the horizontal members are of tubular material, preferably of aluminum or plated steel or brass, and the horizontal members are connected to the respective posts by respective joint structures 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 and 56.

All eight joint structures are identical in construction, of the type illustrated in FIGURE 3, consisting of out wardly extending tubular stems 60 and 62 joined rigidly to the respective post by welding, as indicated by numerals 64 and 66, or by any other suitable securing means. The two stems are in angular L-shaped relationship to one another and are adapted to be connected to the respective horizontal members by a fixture consisting of a shaft 70 secured at one end in the hollow tubular horizontal member, for example 34, by a screw 72 extending through the wall of the horizontal member into the shaft, the shaft also preferably being a hollow tubular member. The diameter of shaft 70 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of the horizontal tubular members and stems 60 and 62, yet sufficient clearance is preferably provided to permit the shaft to slip readily into and from the stems. If the structure is to be used as a permanently constructed unit, shaft 70 may be welded, riveted, or otherwise permanently secured in the stems after the frame has been assembled in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2. However, if the portable shower cabinet is to be of the knock-down type, i.e. assembled when it is to be used and disassembled for storage and transporting, shaft 70 is not permanently joined to stems 60 and 62.

In order to frame the door of the cabinet, two vertical members 82 and 84 are secured to horizontal members 28 and 30 in spaced relation to each other and from the respective corner posts 20 and 22. The manner in which members 82 and 84 are secured to horizontal members 28 and 30 is illustrated in FIGURE 4, consisting of an eye bolt 88 extending through the vertical members 82 and 84 and having a winged nut 90 or the like threaded onto the outer end thereof and seating firmly against the vertical member, thus clamping the horizontal and vertical members together and holding members 82 and 84 rigidly in place. In place of the eye bolt, a clamp or hook-like member 88', as shown in FIGURE 7 extending around the horizontal member may be used to permit the vertical members 82 and 84 to be shifted laterally for the purpose more fully described hereinafter. If desired, a corner post and one vertical member may be used to frame the door instead of the two vertical members shown in the drawings.

The cover 16, secured to vertical members 82 and 84 at its two ends, extends around the entire frame, passing externally around corner posts 20, 22, 24 and 26, and secured to the upper and lower horizontal members on the two opposite sides and at the rear. The cover may be secured to the vertical and horizontal members by sewing a loop in the respective edges of the cover forming open end pockets into which the respective members are slipped. If desired, however, the pockets may be formed by folding the ends over the members and securing the ends of the cover by snaps or the like, thus permitting the cover to be readily removed from the unit. It is seen that when the unit is constructed in the foregoing manner, the cover may be tightened within limits by slipping one or both of vertical members 82 and 84 inwardly towards one another if sliding fixtures 88 are used, thus applying tension upon the entire cover. A curtain 92 is hung in doorway 80 and is supported by a series of eyes or rings 94 attached to the upper end of the curtain and looped around horizontal member 28 to permit the curtain to be closed and opened easily.

One of the principal features of the present shower cabinet is the manner in which the water is delivered to the shower head, as can be seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. Post 26 contains at its upper end a hooked or inverted U-shaped member 100 extending above horizontal members 32 and 3S and containing shower head 102, and contains at its lower end an L-shaped or modified U- shaped member 104 having a threaded coupling member 106 for receiving the corresponding coupling member of hose 12. This construction eliminates the need for a separate pipe or tube for delivering the water from the hose to the shower head and facilitates connecting the hose near the ground where it is easily handled. A shutoff valve controlled by handle 108 is preferably provided in the water line in the enclosure.

Further important features of the present invention are the extensions 42', 44 and 46' above the upper edge of the curtain, which provide a convenient place for holding towels, clothing and the like, as well as permitting a satisfactory support for a cover, if one is required or desirable. Likewise, the extensions 42", 44" and 46" lift the lower edge of the curtain sufficiently above the ground that it does not readily become soiled by splashing, and also permit the water to flow readily from beneath the cabinet when no drain under the cabinet is used. A suitable utility tray 110 for soap or personal effects may be secured to the corner posts by screws 112 extending through bracket 114 or by any other suitable securing means.

When the present shower cabinet is assembled, the horizontal members are connected at their ends to the respective stems 60 or 62 with the members already inserted in the pockets of the cover. The vertical members are then mounted in place and secured by fixtures 86 and the cover, since it completely surrounds the four posts, holds the horizontal members firmly connected to their respective stems 60 or 62. When the frame structure and cover have been assembled in the foregoing manner, the frame members will remain firmly together and the structure in a rigid condition until the parts thereof are inten tionally disassembled.

I claim:

1. A portable shower cabinet of the knock-down type, comprising four vertically positioned tubular corner posts, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced downwardly from the top thereof, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof, fixtures on each post for removably securing said horizontal members in place, an extension connected to one of said posts and extending inwardly therefrom, a shower head on the end of said extension, an outwardly projecting extension on the lower end of said one post, a hose coupling on the end of said last mentioned extension, two vertical door members mounted on the corresponding upper and lower horizontal members, a fixture at each end of said vertical members slidable along said horizontal members for securing said vertical members thereto,

a cover extending from one of said vertical members around said posts to said other vertical member and from the upper to the lower horizontal members, said posts being straight and projecting above and below the upper and lower edges of said cover, and a curtain in the space between said vertical members supported by the respective upper horizontal member.

2. A portable shower cabinet of the knock-down type, comprising four vertically positioned tubular corner posts, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced downwardly from the top thereof, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof, fixtures on each post for removably securing said horizontal members in place, an extension connected to one of said posts and extending inwardly therefrom, a shower head on the end of said extension, an outwardly projecting extension on the lower end of said one post, a hose coupling on the end of said last mentioned extension, at least one vertical door member mounted on corresponding upper and lower horizontal members, a fixture at each end of said vertical member slidable along said horizontal members for securing said vertical member thereto, a cover extending from one of said posts around the external side of the other three posts to said vertical member and from the upper to the lower horizontal members, said cover being attached at one end to said vertical member and a curtain in the space between said vertical member and said second mentioned one post supported by the respective upper horizontal member.

3. A portable shower cabinet of the knock-down type, comprising four vertically positioned tubular corner posts, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced downwardly from the top thereof, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof, fixtures on each post for removably securing said horizontal members in place, an extension connected to one of said posts and extending inwardly therefrom, a shower head on the end of said extension, two Vertical door members secured to corresponding upper and lower horizontal members, a cover extending from one of said vertical members around said posts on the external side thereof to said other vertical member and from the upper to the lower horizontal members, said cover being attached at opposite ends to said vertical members, said posts projecting above and below the upper and lower edges of said cover, and a curtain in the space between said vertical members supported by the respective upper horizontal member.

4. A portable shower cabinet of the knock-down type, comprising a plurality of vertically positioned tubular corner posts, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced downwardly from the top thereof, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof, an extension connected to one of said posts and extending inwardly therefrom, a shower head on the end of said extension, at least one vertical door member secured to corresponding upper and lower horizontal members, and a cover extending from one of said posts around the other posts on the external side thereof to said vertical member and from the upper to the lower horizontal members, said cover being attached at one end to said vertical member.

5. A portable shower cabinet of the knock-down type, comp-rising four vertically positioned tubular corner posts, horizontally positoned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near the top thereof, horizontally 'positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near the bottom thereof, an extension connected to one of said posts and extending inwardly therefrom, a shower head on the end of said extension, an outwardly projecting extension on the lower end of said one post, a coupling on the end of said last mentioned extension, two vertical door members mounted on corresponding upper and lower horizontal members, a fixture at each end of said vertical members securing said vertical members to said horizontal members, and a cover extending from one of said vertical members around said posts on the external side thereof to said other vertical member, said cover being attached at opposite ends to said vertical members.

6. A shower cabinet of the knock-down type, comprising four corner posts, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced downwardly from the top thereof, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near but spaced upwardly from the bottom thereof, fixtures on each post for removably securing said horizontal members in place, two vertical door members mounted on coresponding upper and lower horizontal members, a fixture at each end of said vertical members for securing said vertical members to said horizontal members, and a cover extending from one of said vertical members around said posts on the external side thereof to said other vertical member and from the upper to the lower horizontal members, said posts projecting above and below the upper and lower edges of said cover, said cover being attached at opposite ends to said vertical members.

7. A shower cabinet of the knock-down type, comprising a plurality of corner posts, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed at the top thereof, horizontally positioned tubular members connected to said posts and being disposed near the bottom thereof, at least one vertical door member secured to corresponding upper and lower horizontal members, and a cover extending from one of said posts around the other posts on the external side thereof to said vertical member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 382,011 5/88 Smith 4 -152 2,092,426 9/37 Riddell 4 149 2,418,915 4/47 Volk 4 145 2,483,789 10/49 Smith et al 4 14s 2,778,031 1/57 Logan 4 152 LEWIS J. LENNY, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD V. BENHAM, Examiner. 

1. A PORTABLE SHOWER CABINET OF THE KNOCK-DOWN TYPE, COMPRISING FOUR VERTICALLY POSITIONED TUBULAR CORNER POSTS, HORIZONTALLY POSITIONED TUBULAR MEMBERS CONNECTED TO SAID POSTS AND BEING DISPOSED NEAR BUT SPACED DOWNWARDLY FROM THE TOP THEREOF, HORIZONTALLY POSITIONED TUBULAR MEMBERS CONNECTED TO SAID POSTS AND BEING DISPOSED NEAR BUT SPACED UPWARDLY FROM THE BOTTOM THEREOF, FIXTURES ON EACH POST FOR REMOVABLY SECURING SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS IN PLACE, AN EXTENSION CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID POSTS AND EXTENDING INWARDLY THEREFROM, A SHOWER HEAD ON THE END OF SAID EXTENSION, AN OUTWARDLY PROJECTING EXTENSION ON THE LOWER END OF SAID ONE POST, A HOSE COUPLING ON THE END OF SAID LAST MENTIONED EXTENSION, TWO VERTICAL DOOR MEMBERS MOUNTED ON THE CORRESPONDING UPPER AND LOWER HORIZONTAL MEMBERS, A FIXTURE AT EACH END OF SAID VERTICAL MEMBERS SLIDABLE ALONG SAID HORIZON- 